U.S. patent application number 14/602692 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-30 for skin care wipes comprising added natural antibacterial agents.
The applicant listed for this patent is The Procter & Gamble Company. Invention is credited to Duane Larry Charbonneau, Serena Rae Heyse, Paul Thomas Weisman.
Application Number | 20150209272 14/602692 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52544558 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150209272 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weisman; Paul Thomas ; et
al. |
July 30, 2015 |
SKIN CARE WIPES COMPRISING ADDED NATURAL ANTIBACTERIAL AGENTS
Abstract
A wet wipe product including a fibrous and porous substrate
material combined with an aqueous personal care lotion, the lotion
including a preservative and an added bacteriophage composition,
and methods for making the same, are disclosed. The bacteriophage
composition may include one or more bacteriophages that are
selected to be effective against one or more respective bacteria
strains.
Inventors: |
Weisman; Paul Thomas;
(Cincinnati, OH) ; Charbonneau; Duane Larry;
(Mason, OH) ; Heyse; Serena Rae; (Springboro,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Procter & Gamble Company |
Cincinnati |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52544558 |
Appl. No.: |
14/602692 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61931175 |
Jan 24, 2014 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
424/409 ;
424/93.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61Q 19/00 20130101;
A61Q 19/10 20130101; A61Q 17/005 20130101; A61K 8/0208
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61K 8/99 20060101
A61K008/99; A61Q 17/00 20060101 A61Q017/00; A61Q 19/10 20060101
A61Q019/10; A61K 8/02 20060101 A61K008/02 |
Claims
1. A wet wipe product, comprising: a fibrous and porous substrate
material combined with an aqueous personal care lotion, the aqueous
personal care lotion comprising a preservative and an added
bacteriophage composition, wherein the weight content of the
personal care lotion in the wet wipe product is at least about 200%
of the weight of the substrate material prior to combination with
the lotion.
2. The wet wipe product of claim 1 wherein the personal care lotion
has a bacteriophage concentration of at least about 100 PFU/ml.
3. The wet wipe product of claim 1 wherein the aqueous personal
care lotion comprises one or more of an emollient, a surfactant and
a rheology modifier.
4. The wet wipe product of claim 1 wherein the substrate material
comprises a blend of synthetic and natural fibers.
5. The wet wipe product of claim 1 wherein the preservative
comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting
of methylol compounds, iodopropynyl compounds, simple aromatic
alcohols, paraben compounds, benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid,
benzoates, sorbic acid, sorbates, phenoxyethanol,
ethxylhexyglycerin, chelators such as ethylenediamine tetraacetic
acid, and combinations thereof.
6. The wet wipes product of claim 1 wherein the personal care
lotion has a pH of less than about 7, more preferably less than
about 6, still more preferably less than about 5, and even more
preferably less than about 4.
7. A skin care wipe, comprising: a fibrous and porous substrate
material that has been treated with an aqueous personal care
lotion, the aqueous personal care lotion comprising a bacteriophage
composition.
8. The wet wipe product of claim 7 wherein the personal care lotion
has a bacteriophage concentration of at least about 100 PFU/ml.
9. The wet wipe product of claim 7 wherein the personal care lotion
comprises one or more of an emollient, a surfactant, a preservative
and a rheology modifier.
10. The wet wipe product of claim 7 wherein the substrate material
comprises a blend of synthetic and natural fibers.
11. A method for producing a skin care wipe product, comprising:
forming a fibrous and porous substrate material; applying to the
porous substrate material an aqueous bacteriophage composition; and
partially or completely dividing the porous substrate material into
a plurality of individual wipes.
12. A method for producing a skin care wipe product, comprising:
forming a fibrous and porous substrate material; preparing an
aqueous personal care lotion, including the step of adding a
preservative and a bacteriophage composition; partially or
completely dividing the substrate material into a plurality of
individual wipes; and combining the substrate material or the
plurality of individual wipes with the aqueous personal care
lotion.
13. The wet wipe product of claim 12 wherein the personal care
lotion has a bacteriophage concentration of at least about 100
PFU/ml.
14. The wet wipe product of claim 12 wherein the personal care
lotion comprises one or more of an emollient, a surfactant, and a
rheology modifier.
15. The wet wipe product of claim 12 wherein the substrate material
comprises a blend of synthetic and natural fibers.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a wet wipe product
including a fibrous and porous substrate material combined with an
aqueous personal care lotion, the lotion including a preservative
and an added bacteriophage composition, and methods for making the
same. The bacteriophage composition may include one or more
bacteriophages that are selected to be effective against one or
more respective bacteria strains.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Pathogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus, Escherichia,
Salmonella, Listeria, Shigella, Campylobacter, Clostridium, and
Staphylococcus, and particularly Streptococcus, Escherichia,
Salmonella, and Staphylococcus can colonize on skin or other
epithelial tissue. Pathogenic bacteria can result in any of a
variety of infections such as dermatitis, diaper rash, and
impetigo, commonly caused by bacteria such as Escherichia coli,
Streptococcus pyogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus, in which
elderly, infants and pre-school children are particularly
susceptible. Other pathogenic conditions include urinary tract
infections commonly suffered by female infants and women. Moist
skin surfaces, such as skin of infants and young children who wear
diapers, may be particularly susceptible to bacterial
infection.
[0003] Personal skin care wipes such as wet wipes designed, for
example, for use in cleaning infants' skin during diaper changes,
and for use in a number of other skin cleaning applications, have
been manufactured and marketed for a number of years. For example,
cleaning an infant's skin during a diaper change is desirable
because a diaper typically contains the infant's bodily exudates
and may hold them in contact with the skin about the diapered area,
prior to the time the diaper is changed. Fecal exudates may contain
a number of pathogenic bacteria which, if left on the skin, can
directly cause skin infections and urinary tract infections, and
can also be spread to the caregiver and/or others. Thus, it is
desirable to clean the infant's skin of exudate material and remove
and/or destroy as much potentially harmful bacteria as
possible.
[0004] However, commonly used antibacterial agents such as
isopropyl alcohol, various surfactants and other antibacterial
agents, may be unacceptably harsh, drying and/or irritating to the
skin and mucous membranes, particularly those of an infant, and/or
may otherwise be unacceptable for use with infants for various
reasons. Other antibacterial agents may be insufficiently effective
at concentrations that are deemed safe for use with infants. Thus,
it has been a challenge to formulate lotion compositions for skin
care wipes, such as baby wipes that can effectively remove both
soil and potentially harmful bacteria while not irritating or
damaging the skin, which, counterproductively, may make the skin
more vulnerable to infection. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.
7,569,530.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Bacteriophages are naturally-occurring biological agents,
viral in nature, that infect and replicate within bacteria cells.
They are ubiquitous, and believed to be the most abundant and
diverse biological entities on earth, naturally existing in
seawater, fresh water, soil and generally wherever bacteria are
present. Many types of bacteriophages kill their host bacteria cell
after infection and replication. Because bacteriophages are
absolutely specific to a particular type of host bacteria, however,
they do not affect humans or animals.
[0006] Skin care wipes within the scope of the present disclosure
may include a bacteriophage composition including one or more
bacteriophages, wherein the bacteriophage composition is in
releasable contact with at least a portion of the skin care wipe.
These and other embodiments within the scope of the present
disclosure are described in detail herein.
[0007] In part, these wipes may be particularly advantageous
because the transfer of bacteriophage to a desired surface, such as
human epithelial tissue (e.g., skin or the lining of a cavity or
other structure), presents a challenge in view of the non-motile
nature of bacteriophage generally. This is particularly the case
when the bacteriophage is incorporated into or applied to a solid
material, wherein efficacy may depends in part on transfer of the
bacteriophage from a solid material. Because the bacteriophage do
not move after application to a solid material (aside from possible
Brownian or other motion via externally applied forces), they may
only be effective in disrupting or otherwise harming bacterial
contamination if live bacteria happens to come into contact with
the fixed-position bacteriophage for a sufficient period of time.
It is believed that the present inventive skin care wipes, which
include the bacteriophage composition, facilitate the transfer of
the bacteriophages onto a surface susceptible to bacterial
contamination, such as human epithelial tissue, which is sufficient
to inactivate the colonized bacteria or inhibit the colonization
thereof.
[0008] Wipes
[0009] As used herein, the skin care wipe may be referred to as a
"wipe". In one embodiment, the wipe may be used to treat a surface
that is susceptible to colonization by undesirable bacteria, such
as any or a combination of bacteria described herein. In general,
the surface that is susceptible to colonization by undesirable
bacteria may be epithelial tissue, such as human or animal skin of
or about a bodily cavity or other structure, such as the perianal
region. The surface may be infant skin or adult skin. The surface
may be other epithelial tissue such as urothelial tissue.
[0010] The present disclosure relates to a bacteriophage
composition in combination with a wipe. The combination may be wet
or dry; however, wet wipes may be particularly preferred for skin
cleaning applications. The term "wet wipe" describes a moistened or
wetted piece of substrate material, such as non-woven substrate
material, used to clean the skin. Some currently available wipes
are intended for the cleaning the perianal area after defecation or
urination. Other wipes are available for the cleansing of the face
or other body parts, or inanimate objects, like kitchen
countertops. Wet wipes are generally of suitable dimensions to
allow for convenient handling while being small enough to be easily
disposed of The substrate material of the wipe may be soft and
flexible, and may have a textured surface to enhance cleaning
performance and/or provide a pleasant feel to the skin. The
material may be a non-woven material, and may be made of synthetic
compounds. However, woven materials as well as the use of natural
compounds like cotton or cellulose in either woven or nonwoven
materials are within the scope of the present disclosure. In
addition, synthetic and natural compounds can be combined to make
up the woven or nonwoven materials. The texture and material of the
wipe may affect the cleaning performance of the wipe. Some
exemplary non-woven materials may include fibers formed of
material(s) selected from the group consisting of polyolefins,
polyesters, celluloses, rayons, polyamides, polyesteramides,
polyvinyl alcohols, and combinations thereof A substrate may be
manufactured via any process, such as, but not limited to,
spunbonding, spunlace, meltblowing, airlaying, wetlaying, coform,
and carding processes, and may have a dry basis weight of between
about 25 grams per square meter (gsm) and 75 gsm, or between 30 gsm
and 65 gsm. Other substrates may be used with the lotion
compositions described below.
[0011] "Substrate" refers herein to a material which is primarily
two-dimensional (i.e., in an XY plane) and whose thickness (in a Z
direction) is relatively small (i.e., 1/10 or less) in comparison
to the substrate's length (in an X direction) and width (in a Y
direction). Non-limiting examples of substrates include a web,
layer or layers or fibrous materials, nonwovens, films and foils
such as polymeric films or metallic foils. These materials may be
used alone or may include two or more layers joined together. As
such, a web is a substrate.
[0012] "Nonwoven" refers herein to a fibrous structure made from an
assembly of continuous fibers, coextruded fibers, non-continuous
fibers and combinations thereof, without weaving or knitting, by
processes such as spunbonding, carding, meltblowing, airlaying,
wetlaying, coforming, or other such processes known in the art for
such purposes.
[0013] "Fiber" and/or "Filament" as used herein means an elongate
particulate having an apparent length greatly exceeding its
apparent width, i.e., a length to diameter ratio of at least about
10. For purposes of the present disclosure, a "fiber" is an
elongate particulate as described above that exhibits a length of
less than 5.08 cm (2 in.) and a "filament" is an elongate
particulate as described above that exhibits a length of greater
than or equal to 5.08 cm (2 in.).
[0014] Substrate
[0015] The substrate may be a nonwoven material. The substrate may
be homogeneous or may be layered. If layered, the substrate may
include at least two, three, four or five layers. The nonwoven
material may include one or more layers of such fibrous assemblies,
wherein each layer may include continuous fibers, coextruded
fibers, non-continuous fibers and combinations thereof.
[0016] The substrate of the present disclosure may include
co-formed structure. "Co-formed structure" as used herein means
that the structure includes a mixture of at least two different
materials wherein at least one of the materials includes a
filament, such as a polypropylene filament, and at least one other
material, different from the first material, includes a solid
additive, such as a fiber and/or a particulate. In one example, a
co-formed fibrous structure includes solid additives, such as
fibers such as wood pulp fibers, absorbent gel materials, filler
particles, particulate spot bonding powders and/or clays, and
filaments, such as polypropylene filaments.
[0017] The substrate may include synthetic fibers. The synthetic
fibers can be any material, such as those selected from the group
consisting of polyesters (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate),
polyolefins, polypropylenes, polyethylenes, polyethers, polyamides,
polyesteramides, polyvinylalcohols, polyhydroxyalkanoates,
polysaccharides, and combinations thereof. Further, the synthetic
fibers may be a single component (i.e., single synthetic material
or uniform blend of materials makes up entire fiber), bi-component
(i.e., the fiber is divided into two or more discrete regions, the
regions each being formed of differing synthetic materials or
blends thereof, and may include co-extruded fibers and core and
sheath fibers) and combinations thereof Bicomponent fibers may be
used as a component fiber of the structure, and/or they may be
present to act as a binder for the other fibers present in the
fibrous structure. Any or all of the synthetic fibers may be
treated before, during, or after manufacture to change any desired
properties of the fibers. The substrate may include hydrophilic
fibers, hydrophobic fibers, or a combination thereof.
[0018] The substrate may include various percentages of natural
and/or synthetic fibers. For example, in some exemplary
configurations, the substrate may be formed of 100% synthetic
fibers. In another exemplary configuration, the substrate may be
formed of natural and synthetic fibers. For example, the substrate
may be formed of from about 0% to about 90% natural fibers, with
the balance comprising synthetic fibers. The substrate may be
formed of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, or 80% by weight
natural fibers.
[0019] The substrate may include filaments. Filaments are typically
considered continuous or substantially continuous in nature.
Non-limiting examples of filaments include meltblown and/or
spunbond filaments. Non-limiting examples of materials that can be
spun into filaments include natural polymers, such as starch,
starch derivatives, cellulose and cellulose derivatives,
hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives, chitin, chitosan,
polyisoprene (cis and trans), peptides, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and
synthetic polymers including, but not limited to, thermoplastic
polymers such as polyesters, nylons, polyolefins such as
polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl
alcohol derivatives, sodium polyacrylate (absorbent gel material),
and copolymers of polyolefins such as polyethylene-octene, and
biodegradable or compostable thermoplastics such as polylactic
acid, polyvinyl alcohol, and polycaprolactone. The filaments may be
monocomponent or multicomponent, such as bicomponent filaments.
[0020] The substrate may be formed of a plurality of filaments, a
plurality of solid additives, such as fibers, and a mixture of
filaments and solid additives.
[0021] In certain configurations, it may be desirable to have
particular combinations of fibers to provide desired
characteristics. For example, it may be desirable to have fibers of
certain lengths, widths, coarseness or other characteristics
combined in certain layers, or separate from each other. The fibers
may be of virtually any size and may have an average length from
about 1 mm to about 60 mm. Average fiber length refers to the
length of the individual fibers if straightened out. The fibers may
have an average fiber width of greater than about 5 micrometers.
The fibers may have an average fiber width of from about 5
micrometers to about 50 micrometers. The fibers may have a
coarseness of greater than about 5 mg/100 m. The fibers may have a
coarseness of from about 5 mg/100 m to about 75 mg/100 m.
[0022] It may be desired that the wipe substrate have a particular
pore volume distribution. For purposes herein, it may be desired
that a wet wipe be adapted to carry a lotion composition including
a bacteriophage composition within pores of the substrate
structure, but also express the lotion/bacteriophage composition
from the pores when wiping pressure is applied thereto, so that the
composition is distributed onto the surface (such as skin) upon
wiping. Accordingly, it may be desired that the wipe substrate be
selected or manufactured to have a pore volume distribution and/or
other features described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No.
7,696,109.
[0023] For purposes of transporting and distributing a lotion
composition including a bacteriophage composition to the skin, the
wipe substrate may be manufactured to have features, and desirable
liquid uptake, carrying and release characteristics, such as those
disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/076,492;
13/236,809; 10/277,614; and 10/223,910. In another example, a
co-formed substrate as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,017,534 may be
used.
[0024] In some configurations, a substrate may include two outer
layers consisting of 100%, by total weight, filaments and an inner
layer consisting of 100%, by total weight, fibers.
[0025] The substrate may include any suitable amount of filaments
and any suitable amount of solid additives. For example, the
substrate may include from about 10% to about 70% and/or from about
20% to about 60% and/or from about 30% to about 50% by dry weight
of the substrate of filaments and from about 90% to about 30%
and/or from about 80% to about 40% and/or from about 70% to about
50% by dry weight of the substrate of solid additives, such as wood
pulp fibers. In one example, the substrate includes filaments.
[0026] The filaments and solid additives may be present in
substrate according to the present disclosure at weight ratios of
filaments to solid additives of from at least about 1:1 and/or at
least about 1:1.5 and/or at least about 1:2 and/or at least about
1:2.5 and/or at least about 1:3 and/or at least about 1:4 and/or at
least about 1:5 and/or at least about 1:7 and/or at least about
1:10.
[0027] Non-limiting examples of suitable polypropylenes for making
the filaments of the present disclosure are commercially available
from Lyondell-Basell and Exxon-Mobil.
[0028] Any hydrophobic or non-hydrophilic materials within the
substrate, such as polypropylene filaments, may be surface treated
and/or melt treated with a hydrophilic modifier. Non-limiting
examples of surface treating hydrophilic modifiers include
surfactants, such as Triton X-100. Non-limiting examples of melt
treating hydrophilic modifiers that are added to the melt, such as
the polypropylene melt, prior to spinning filaments, include
hydrophilic modifying melt additives such as VW351 and/or S-1416
commercially available from Polyvel, Inc. and Irgasurf commercially
available from Ciba. The hydrophilic modifier may be associated
with the hydrophobic or non-hydrophilic material at various levels.
In one example, the hydrophilic modifier is associated with the
hydrophobic or non-hydrophilic material at a level of less than
about 20% and/or less than about 15% and/or less than about 10%
and/or less than about 5% and/or less than about 3% to about 0% by
dry weight of the hydrophobic or non-hydrophilic material.
[0029] It may be desired to include hydrophilic fibers or
filaments, fibers or filaments formed of hydrophilic material, or
fibers or filaments that are treated to render them hydrophilic, in
the substrate material. This may make the substrate better capable
of absorbing, holding and/or carrying an effective quantity of an
aqueous bacteriophage composition, or an aqueous lotion composition
containing an aqueous bacteriophage composition, which may then be
distributed onto a target surface by wiping motion and pressure
that expresses the aqueous composition from the substrate. Most
natural fibers such as cellulosic fibers (e.g., wood pulp, cotton,
hemp and linen), and some synthetic fibers such as rayon, viscose
and lyocell fibers, are hydrophilic. As an alternative or in
addition to treating non-hydrophilic fibers or filaments to render
them hydrophilic, it may be desired that the substrate material be
formed of at least 10 percent by weight natural or synthetic
hydrophilic fibers, or more preferably, at least 20%, at least 30%
or at least 40%. Thus, it may be desirable that the substrate
material be formed of, e.g., at least 10%, at least 20%, at least
30% or even at least 40% by weight cellulosic fibers or filaments,
or at least 10% by weight synthetic hydrophilic fibers or filaments
such as fibers or filaments formed of rayon, viscose or
lyocell.
[0030] The substrate may include optional additives, each, when
present, at individual levels of from about 0% and/or from about
0.01% and/or from about 0.1% and/or from about 1% and/or from about
2% to about 95% and/or to about 80% and/or to about 50% and/or to
about 30% and/or to about 20% by dry weight of the substrate.
Non-limiting examples of optional additives include permanent wet
strength agents, temporary wet strength agents, dry strength agents
such as carboxymethylcellulose and/or starch, softening agents,
lint reducing agents, opacity increasing agents, wetting agents,
odor absorbing agents, temperature indicating agents, color agents,
dyes, osmotic materials, microbial growth detection agents,
antibacterial agents and mixtures thereof.
[0031] The fibers may be circular in cross-section, dog-bone shape,
delta (i.e., triangular cross section), trilobal, ribbon, or other
shapes typically produced as staple fibers. Likewise, the fibers
can be conjugate fibers such as bicomponent fibers. The fibers may
be crimped and may have a finish, such as a lubricant, applied. In
one example, at least some of fibers or filaments of which the
substrate is formed may be trilobal. This provides grooves or
channels along the surfaces of the fibers/filaments, which may aid
in the flow of aqueous composition into and out of the wipe
substrate, for better transfer and distribution thereof onto a
surface. Examples are described in U.S. patent application Ser.
Nos. 13/236,809; 10/277,614; and 10/223,910.
[0032] The substrate materials may also be treated to improve the
softness and texture thereof. The substrate may be subjected to
various treatments, such as physical treatment, hydro-molding,
hydro-embossing, and ring rolling, as described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,143,679; structural elongation, as described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,518,801; consolidation, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,914,084;
6,114,263; 6,129,801 and 6,383,431; stretch aperturing, as
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,628,097; 5,658,639; and 5,916,661;
differential elongation, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,037,569,
and other solid state formation technologies as described in U.S.
Pat. No. 7,553,532 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,683; zone activation,
and the like; chemical treatment, such as rendering part or all of
the substrate hydrophobic, and/or hydrophilic, and the like;
thermal treatment, such as thermal-embossing, softening of fibers
by heating, thermal bonding and the like; and combinations
thereof.
[0033] In some configurations, the surface of the substrate may be
essentially flat. In other configurations, the surface of the
substrate may optionally contain raised and/or lowered portions.
The raised and/or lowered portions can be in the form of logos,
indicia, trademarks, geometric patterns, and/or images of the
surfaces that the substrate is intended to clean (i.e., infant's
body, face, etc.). The raised and/or lowered portions may be
randomly arranged on the surface of the substrate or be in a
repetitive pattern of some form. Without wishing to be bound by
theory, it is believed that a textured substrate may further enable
the ease of removal of soils by improving the ability to grip or
otherwise lift the soils from the surface during cleansing. Any one
of a number of texture elements may be useful in improving the
ability to grip or otherwise lift the soil from the surface during
cleansing such as continuous hydro-molded elements, hollow molded
element, solid molded elements, circles, squares, rectangles,
ovals, ellipses, irregular circles, swirls, curly cues, cross
hatches, pebbles, lined circles, linked irregular circles, half
circles, wavy lines, bubble lines, puzzles, leaves, outlined
leaves, plates, connected circles, changing curves, dots,
honeycombs, and the like, and combinations thereof. The texture
elements may be hollow elements. The texture elements may be
connected to each other. The texture elements may overlap each
other.
[0034] The substrate may have a basis weight between about 15, 30,
40, or 45 grams/m.sup.2 and about 65, 75, 85, 95, or 100
grams/m.sup.2. A suitable substrate may be a carded nonwoven
comprising a 40/60 blend of viscose fibers and polypropylene fibers
having a basis weight of 58 grams/m.sup.2 as available from
Suominen of Tampere, Finland as FIBRELLA.RTM. 3160. FIBRELLA.RTM.
3160 is a 58 grams/m.sup.2 nonwoven web comprising 60%, by total
weight, of 1.5 denier polypropylene fibers and 40%, by total
weight, of 1.5 denier viscose fibers. Another suitable material may
be FIBRELLA.RTM. 3100 which is a 62 grams/m.sup.2 nonwoven web
comprising 50%, by total weight, of 1.5 denier polypropylene fibers
and 50%, by total weight, of 1.5 denier viscose fibers. In both of
these commercially available fibrous webs, the average fiber length
is about 38 mm. Another suitable material for use as a substrate
may be SAWATEX.RTM. 2642 as available from Sandler AG of
Schwarzenbach/Salle, Germany. Yet another suitable material for use
as a substrate may have a basis weight of from about 50
grams/m.sup.2 to about 60 grams/m.sup.2 and have a 20/80 blend of
viscose fibers and polypropylene fibers. The substrate may also be
a 60/40 blend of pulp and viscose fibers. Exemplary nonwoven
substrates are described in U.S. Patent Publication 2012/066852 and
U.S. Patent Publication U.S. 2011/244199.
[0035] In some exemplary configurations, the substrate may be
biodegradable. For example, the substrate could be made from a
biodegradable material such as a polyesteramide, or a high wet
strength cellulose. In some exemplary configurations, the substrate
may be dispersible.
[0036] Lotion Composition
[0037] A wet wipe may be moistened or wetted with a lotion
composition including a bacteriophage composition of the present
disclosure. The lotion composition may be aqueous or aqueous
emulsion-based. The pH of the composition may be from about pH 3,
4, or 5 to about pH 7, 7.5, or 8. In some exemplary configurations,
the pH may be from about 3.5 to about 4.1. The wipes product as
packaged (including the supply of wipes and the added liquid lotion
composition contents) may have lotion composition contents
constituting at least about 200% of the dry weight of the supply of
wipes, more preferably at least about 300%, 400%, 500% or even at
least about 600%; or between about 200% and about 600%.
[0038] In some exemplary configurations, the lotion composition may
include a glucomannan. Without being bound by theory, it is
believed that a cleansing composition comprising a glucomannan
improves the cleaning performance of a wet wipe. Without wishing to
be bound by theory, using a cleansing composition comprising a
glucomannan in a wet wipe may increase the adhesive interaction
between the soil and the wet wipe above the adhesive interaction
between the soil and the surface, thereby allowing the soil to
detach from the surface upon wiping. The lotion composition may
include from about 0.01%, by total weight, to about 0.50%, by total
weight, of a glucomannan. The lotion composition may include a
glucomannan and one or more synergy enhancing agents. Non-limiting
examples of synergy enhancing agents include xanthan gum,
carrageenan, alginate, locust bean gum, starch, and gellan gum.
[0039] The lotion composition may include from about 0.1%, by total
weight, to about 0.5%, by total weight, or from about 0.12%, by
total weight, to about 0.18%, by total weight, of one or more
synergy enhancing agents. The ratio of glucomannan to synergy
enhancing agent present in the lotion composition may be from about
1:1.5 to about 1:10. Exemplary compositions comprising glucomannan
and a synergy enhancing agent are described in U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/758,802.
[0040] An exemplary wet wipe may include a lotion composition
comprising glucomannan and xanthan gum. Another exemplary wet wipe
may include a lotion composition comprising glucomannan,
carrageenan, and xanthan gum. In a lotion composition comprising
glucomannan, carrageenan, and xanthan gum, the ratio of xanthan gum
to glucomannan to carrageenan may be from about 1:0.02:0.03 to
about 1:0.33:0.5.
[0041] The peak complex viscosity of a lotion composition
comprising a glucomannan and a synergy enhancing agent for use in a
wet wipe may be greater than about 0.8 Pascal seconds (hereinafter
"Pas"), greater than 2.5 Pas, or greater than about 3.0 Pas. The
peak complex viscosity of a lotion composition for use in a wet
wipe may be in the range of about 1.0 Pas to about 5.0 Pas.
[0042] In addition, the lotion composition may include various
optional ingredients, such as surfactants, emollients,
film-formers, preservatives, pH buffers, rheology modifiers, and
various other adjunct ingredients, such as described in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 7,666,827; 7,005,557; 8,221,774; and U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2011/0268777. It is to be noted that some
ingredient compounds can have a multiple function and that all
compounds are not necessarily present in the lotion
composition.
[0043] Emollient
[0044] The lotion composition may include an emollient. Emollients
may (1) hydrate the residues (for example, fecal residues or dried
urine residues or menses), thus enhancing their removal from the
skin, (2) hydrate the skin, thus reducing its dryness and
irritation while improving its flexibility under the wiping
movement, (3) reduce the adhesive interaction between the soil and
the surface, and (4) protect the skin from later irritation (for
example, caused by the friction of an absorbent article) as the
emollient is deposited onto the skin and remains at its surface as
a thin protective layer.
[0045] An emollient may include silicone oils, functionalized
silicone oils, hydrocarbon oils, fatty alcohols, fatty alcohol
ethers, fatty acids, esters of monobasic and/or dibasic and/or
tribasic and/or polybasic carboxylic acids with mono and polyhydric
alcohols, polyoxyethylenes, polyoxypropylenes, mixtures of
polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene ethers of fatty alcohols, and
mixtures thereof. The emollients may be either saturated or
unsaturated, have an aliphatic character and be straight or
branched chained or contain alicyclic or aromatic rings.
[0046] In some exemplary configurations, the lotion composition may
include a mixture of caprylic/capric triglycerides in combination
with Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 dimethicone known as ABIL.RTM.
CARE 85, available from Degussa Care Specialties of Hopewell,
Va.
[0047] Various oil materials may function as emollients, while also
providing skin benefits, including improving or maintain the
integrity of the skin. For example, the lotion composition may
include an omega-6 fatty acid. The lotion composition may include
at least about 0.003%, from about 0.003% to about 35%, from about
0.015% to about 25%, or from about 0.06% to about 20%, by total
weight, of the lotion and/or coating composition, of omega-6 fatty
acid. Exemplary lotion compositions comprising omega-6 fatty acids
are described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0159074 A1.
[0048] The omega-6 fatty acid may be added to the lotion
composition as an oil material, such as from a vegetable oil.
Therefore, in one exemplary configuration, the lotion composition
includes an oil material comprising omega-6 fatty acid. The lotion
composition may include from about 0.1% to about 70%, from about
0.5% to about 50%, or from about 2% to about 40%, by total weight,
of the lotion and/or coating composition, of the oil material. The
oil material may include at least 3%, from about 3% to about 50%,
or from about 5% to about 40%, by total weight, of the oil
material, of omega-6 fatty acid.
[0049] Non-limiting examples of suitable oil materials include high
oleic canola Oil (Brassica campestris, B. napus, B. rapa;
characterized by having an oleic fatty acid content greater than
70%, e.g., high oleic canola oil, very high oleic canola oil, or
partially hydrogenated canola oil), manila kernel oil (Sclerocarya
birrea), palm oil (Elaeis Guineensis Oil), palm olein, palm
stearin, palm superolein, pecan oil, pumpkin seed oil, oleic
safflower oil (Carthamus Tinctorius; characterized by having an
oleic fatty acid content of greater than about 30% and omega-6
fatty acid content of less than about 50%, e.g., high oleic
safflower oil), sesame oil (Sesamum indicum, S. oreintale), soybean
oil (Glycine max, e.g., high oleic soybean, low linolenic soybean
oil, partially hydrogenated), high oleic sunflower oil (Helianthus
annus; characterized by having an oleic content of greater than
about 40%, e.g., mid oleic sunflower or high oleic sunflower oil),
and mixtures thereof. Oleic canola oil, palm oil, sesame oil, high
oleic safflower oil, high oleic soybean oil, mid oleic sunflower
oil, and high oleic sunflower oil are common plant-bred derived
oils and may be also be derived from non-genetically modified
organisms (non-GMO).
[0050] Non-limiting examples of oil materials are
commercially-available from a number of vendors, including Cargill
for partially hydrogenated soybean oil (i.e., Preference.RTM. 110W
Soybean Oil or Preference.RTM. 300 Hi Stability Soybean Oil), mid
oleic sunflower oil (i.e., NuSun.RTM. Mid-Oleic Sunflower Oil),
high oleic sunflower oil (i.e., Clear Valley.RTM. High Oleic
Sunflower Oil), high oleic canola oil, very high oleic canola, and
partially hydrogenated low erucic rapeseed oil (i.e., Clear
Valley.RTM. 65 High Oleic Canola Oil and Clear Valley.RTM. 75 High
Oleic Canola Oil); Lambert Technology for high oleic canola oil
(i.e., Oleocal C104); Arch Personal Care for manila kernel oil;
Pioneer for high oleic soybean oil (i.e., Plenish.RTM.); Asoyia for
low linolenic soybean oil (i.e., Ultra Low Linolenic Soybean
Oil.RTM.); and Dipasa, Inc. for refined sesame oil.
[0051] The oil material can further include a blend of oils,
including those described supra, as well as additional oil
materials. Suitable additional oil materials can include acai berry
oil, almond oil, avocado oil, beech oil, brazil nut oil, camelina
sativa oil (family Brassicaceae, e.g., Camelina Sativa, Gold of
Pleasure, False Flax, etc.), camellia seed oil, canola oil, carrot
seed oil, cashew nut oil, caster oil, cherry kernel oil, chia oil,
corn oil, cottonseed oil, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, evening
primrose oil, filbert (hazelnut) oil, grapeseed oil, hemp oil,
hickory nut oil, jojoba oil, kukui oil, lanolin, olive oil (Olea
europaea), macadamia oil, maringa oil, meadowfoam oil, neem oil,
palm kernel oil, olive oil, passionflower oil (family Passiflora,
Passiflora Incarnata), peanut oil, peach kernel oil, pistachio nut
oil, rapeseed oil, rice bran oil, rose hip oil, safflower oil,
sorghum oil, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil, tall oil, vegetable
oil, vegetable squalene, walnut oil, wheat germ oil, and mixtures
thereof. The oil material of the present disclosure can be selected
from the group consisting of camelina sativa seed oil, oleic canola
oil, evening primrose oil, manila kernel oil, palm oil, palm olein,
palm stearin, palm superolein, passiflora incarnata seed oil, pecan
oil, pumpkin seed oil, oleic safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean
oil, oleic sunflower oil, vegetable oil, and mixtures thereof.
[0052] Suitable, commercially available oil materials include a
mixture of vegetable oil and camelina sativa seed oil
(commercially-available as Lipex.RTM. Omega 3/6 from Aarhus
Karlshamn Sweden AB), a mixture of vegetable oil and passiflora
incarnata seed oil (commercially-available as Lipex.RTM. Omega
Passiflora from Aarhus Karlshamn Sweden AB), a mixture of vegetable
oil and evening primrose oil (commercially-available as Lipex Omega
EPO from Aarhus Karlshamn Sweden AB), high oleic canola oil
(commercially-available as Clear Valley.RTM. 75 High Oleic Canola
Oil from Cargill), and mixtures thereof.
[0053] Surfactant
[0054] The lotion composition may include one or more surfactants.
The surfactant can be an individual surfactant or a mixture of
surfactants. The surfactant may be a polymeric surfactant or a
non-polymeric one. The surfactant may aid in emulsification of oily
components such as various emollients, and may aid in dissolution
and removal of the soils from the surface being cleansed. The
surfactant or combinations of surfactants may be mild, which means
that the surfactants provide sufficient cleaning or detersive
benefits but do not overly dry or otherwise harm or damage the
skin. The surfactant, when present in the lotion composition, may
be present in an amount ranging from about 0.5%, 1%, or 4%, by
total weight, to about 0.001%, 0.01% or 0.02%, by total weight, of
the lotion composition. The surfactant may include PEG-40
Hydrogenated Castor Oil, manufactured by Clariant International
Ltd. of Switzerland under the designation EMULSOGEN.RTM.
HCW049.
[0055] A wide variety of surfactants are useful herein and include
those selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants,
nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants,
zwitterionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof.
[0056] A wide variety of anionic surfactants are useful herein.
Non-limiting examples of anionic surfactants include those selected
from the group consisting of carboxylates, sarcosinates, sulfates,
sulfonates, isethionates, taurates, phosphates, lactylates,
glutamates, and mixtures thereof.
[0057] Nonionic surfactants useful herein include, but are not
limited to, those selected from the group consisting of alkyl
glucosides, alkyl polyglucosides, polyhydroxy fatty acid amides,
alkoxylated fatty acid esters, alkoxylated fatty alcohol ethers,
sucrose esters, and mixtures thereof.
[0058] Amphoteric surfactants suitable for use in the present
compositions include those surfactants broadly described as
derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines in which the
aliphatic radical can be straight or branched chain and wherein one
of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to about 18
carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water solubilizing group
such as carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate.
Useful amphoteric surfactants include the group consisting of
cocoamphoacetate, cocoamphodiacetate, lauroamphoacetate,
lauroamphodiacetate, and mixtures thereof
[0059] Zwitterionic surfactants suitable for use herein include
those surfactants broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic
quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfonium compounds, in which
the aliphatic radicals can be straight or branched chain, and
wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to
about 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic group such as
carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate or phosphonate. Useful
zwitterionic surfactants include betaines, amphoacetates and
sulfobetaines, e.g., cocoamidopropylbetaine, sodium
laurylamphoacetate and cocoamidopropylhydroxysultaine.
[0060] Rheology Modifier
[0061] The cleaning composition may include one or more rheology
modifiers. A rheology modifier may (1) help to stabilize the lotion
composition on a substrate, (2) enhance the transfer of the lotion
composition to the skin, and (3) enhance the uniformity of the
layer of the lotion composition on the skin. For example, rheology
modifiers may help to preserve a homogeneous distribution of the
lotion composition within a stack of the substrates. Any
composition that is in fluid form may have a tendency to migrate to
the lower part of the wipes stack during prolonged storage. This
effect may create an upper part of the stack of substrates having
less lotion composition than the bottom part of the stack.
[0062] Non-limiting examples of rheology modifiers include, but are
not limited to, rheology modifiers comprising: polysaccharide
units, e.g., cellulose, xanthan gum, diutan gum, carrageenan,
gellan gum, welan gum, pectin, sclerotium gum, starch,
galactoarabinan, alginate, and modified-forms thereof; homopolymers
of acrylic acid; acrylic acid cross-linked with a polyfunctional
compound, e.g., carbomer and acrylate crosspolymer; copolymers of
acrylic acid, acrylate esters, maleic acid and the like, generally
known as the alkali swellable emulsions (ASE) group;
hydrophobically-modified copolymers of acrylic acid, acrylate
esters, maleic acid and the like, generally known as the
hydrophobically-modified alkali swellable emulsions (HASE) group;
polyethylene glycol units of varying length connected by urethane
linkages and terminated with hydrophobic end groups, generally
known as the hydrophobically-modified ethoxylated urethane resins
(HEUR) group; organoclays; silicas; and combinations thereof.
[0063] Rheology modifiers, when present in the lotion composition,
may be present in the range of about 0.01%, 0.015%, or 0.02%, by
total weight, to about 2%, by total weight, of the lotion
composition.
[0064] Preservative
[0065] Controlling microbiological growth may be beneficial in
water based products such as lotion compositions intended for use
in wet wipes. Various bacteria, yeasts and/or molds may colonize
and grow in a lotion composition, feeding, for example, on oily or
fatty components, and thereby degrading the lotion composition in
various ways. Because bacteriophages specifically target particular
bacteria, the presence of a bacteriophage composition in the lotion
composition cannot be relied upon to prevent the growth of
microorganism species other than the target bacteria. However,
surprisingly, bacteriophages within the scope of the present
disclosure can survive in an environment in which general
antimicrobial agents are present, such as a wipes lotion containing
a preservative system. Conversely, because a preservative system
should be suitably mild so as not to irritate or damage skin upon
use, preservatives/preservative systems suitable (and in
concentrations suitable) for preserving a lotion composition while
in the wipes package may be relatively ineffective at controlling
bacteria on the skin after the wipe has been used--unless another
agent is included such as a bacteriophage composition.
[0066] The lotion composition may include a preservative or a
combination of preservatives acting together as a preservative
system. Preservatives and preservative systems are used
interchangeably in the present disclosure to indicate one unique or
a combination of preservative compounds. A preservative may be
understood to be a chemical or natural compound or a combination of
compounds reducing the growth of microorganisms, thus enabling a
longer shelf life for a package of substrates (opened or not
opened) as well as creating an environment with reduced growth of
microorganisms when transferred to the skin during the wiping
process.
[0067] The spectrum of activity of the preservative may include
bacteria, molds and yeast. Each of such microorganisms may be
killed by the preservative. Another mode of action to be
contemplated may be the reduction of the growth rate of the
microorganisms without active killing. Both actions however result
in a drastic reduction of the population of microorganisms.
[0068] Materials useful as preservatives include methylol
compounds, iodopropynyl compounds, simple aromatic alcohols,
paraben compounds, benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, benzoates, sorbic
acid, sorbates, phenoxyethanol, ethxylhexyglycerin, chelators such
as ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, and combinations thereof.
Suitable preservative systems are described in U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2005/0008680 and U.S. Patent Publication No.
2005/0008681.
[0069] Low pH buffering systems, such as a citrate-citric acid
buffering system at a pH of less than about 5, may also be employed
as part of the preservative system.
[0070] In some exemplary configurations, the preservative system
may include simple aromatic alcohols (e.g., benzyl alcohol).
Materials of this type may have effective antibacterial activity.
Benzyl alcohol is available from Symrise, Inc. of Teterboro, N.J.
In other exemplary configurations, the preservative system may
include a mixture of benzyl alcohol, sodium benzoate,
phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, ethylenediamine tetraacetic
acid, citric acid, and sodium citrate dehydrate wherein the pH of
the lotion composition is less than about 4. The total
concentration of benzyl alcohol may be lower than about 0.4%, by
total weight, of the lotion composition. The total concentration of
sodium benzoate may be lower than about 0.3%, by total weight, of
the lotion composition. The combination of phenoxyethanol and
ethylhexylglycerin, which are available as EUXYL.RTM. PE 9010 from
Schulke & Mayr GmbH of Germany, may be lower than about
0.4%.
[0071] In some exemplary configurations, acidic compounds used in
sufficient amount to reduce the pH of the lotion composition (e.g.,
pH of less than about 5) may be useful as the preservative, or as a
potentiator for other preservative ingredients.
[0072] In other exemplary configurations, chelators, such as
ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and its salts, may also be used in
preservative systems as a potentiator for other preservative
ingredients.
[0073] Adjunct Ingredients
[0074] The lotion composition may optionally include other adjunct
ingredients. Possible adjunct ingredients may be selected from a
wide range of additional ingredients such as texturizers,
colorants, soothing agents and medically active ingredients, such
as healing actives and skin protectants.
[0075] Bacteriophage Compositions
[0076] Wipes within the scope of the present disclosure may include
a bacteriophage composition including one or more, two or more,
three or more or four or more bacteriophages. For example, the
bacteriophage composition may include six bacteriophages, such as
LISTSHIELD.TM. (LMP-102.TM.), commercially available from
Intralytix, Inc., Baltimore, Md. The bacteriophage composition may
be blended into a lotion composition. Alternatively, a
bacteriophage composition may be applied directly to a wipe
substrate material.
[0077] As used herein, the term "bacteriophage" (singular) refers
to a particular bacteriophage that is effective against one or more
bacterial strains. As used in this context, "effective against"
means that the referenced bacteriophage infects, lyses, destructs,
disrupts, kills, inhibits the growth of, reduces, inactivates or is
otherwise effective against to the referenced strain of bacteria.
The one or more bacteriophage(s) selected may be lytic, and
therefore capable of infecting and killing the target bacteria. As
used herein, "bacteria" or "target bacteria" refer to an
undesirable microorganism susceptible to infection, lysis,
destruction (e.g., apoptosis), disruption, death, or inhibited
growth, or any alternate mode of cell death caused by a
bacteriophage. Different bacteriophages may infect different
strains of bacteria with different results, or may infect some
strains of bacteria but not others. The target bacteria may be
pathogenic (i.e., capable of causing infection). However, other
bacteria, such as bacteria that may be the source of malodor or
other undesirable characteristics, may be target bacterial as
well.
[0078] The bacteriophages selected may be, independently, wild-type
or genetically modified, or any combination thereof. Thus, the one
or more of the bacteriophages present in the bacteriophage
composition may be wild-type, or all of the bacteriophages present
in the bacteriophage composition are wild-type.
[0079] One or more of the selected bacteriophages may be a lytic
bacteriophage, capable of infection, destruction, and bacterial
cell death.
[0080] One or more of the selected bacteriophages may be of the
taxonomic family selected from the group consisting of
Siphoviridae, Podoviridae, Myoviridae, and any combinations
thereof. In one example, one or more of the bacteriophages may be
of the taxonomic family Myoviridae. In another alternative, all of
the selected bacteriophages may be of the taxonomic family
Myoviridae.
[0081] One or more of the selected bacteriophages may be a lytic
bacteriophage of the taxonomic family Myoviridae. When the
bacteriophage composition includes two or more bacteriophages, two
or more of the bacteriophages may be lytic bacteriophages of the
taxonomic family Myoviridae. When the bacteriophage composition
includes three or more bacteriophages, three or more of the
bacteriophages may be lytic bacteriophages of the taxonomic family
Myoviridae.
[0082] The bacteriophage is a lytic bacteriophage of the taxonomic
family Myoviridae and the taxonomic subfamily Teequatrovirinae. In
a particular example, the bacteriophage is a lytic T4 phage.
Non-limiting examples may include Enterobacteria phage T2,
Enterobacteria phage T4, Enterobacteria phage T6, phage JS10, phage
JS98, phage RB51, and any combination thereof.
[0083] The selected bacteriophage(s) may be effective against
gram-positive or gram-negative pathogenic bacteria, or a
combination thereof.
[0084] The selected bacteriophage maybe effective against
Enterobacterium such as, for example, Salmonella, Escherichia, or
Shigella. Additionally or alternatively, one of more of the
selected bacteriophages may be effective against a strain of
bacteria of a taxonomic genus selected from the group consisting of
Streptococcus, Escherichia, Salmonella, Listeria, Shigella,
Campylobacter, Clostridium, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas,
Mycobacterium, and any combinations thereof. One or more of
selected the bacteriophages may be effective against a strain of
bacteria of a taxonomic genus selected from the group consisting of
Streptococcus, Escherichia, Salmonella, Listeria, Staphylococcus,
Pseudomonas, and any combinations thereof.
[0085] In another alternative, the selected bacteriophage may be
effective against Streptococcus, such as, for example,
Streptococcus pyogenes. The selected bacteriophage may be effective
against Escherichia, such as, for example, Escherichia coli. The
selected bacteriophage may be effective against Salmonella, such
as, for example, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium,
Salmonella heidelberg, Salmonella newport, Salmonella hadar, and
any combinations thereof. The selected bacteriophage(s) may be a
combination such as, for example, those found in SALMOLYSE.TM.,
containing six bacteriophages and commercially available from
Intralytics, Inc., Baltimore, Md. The selected bacteriophage(s) may
be a combination of strains such as, for example, those found in
SALMOFRESH.TM., containing six bacteriophages and commercially
available from Intralytix, Inc., Baltimore, Md. The selected
bacteriophage(s) may be a combination such as, for example, those
found in SALMONELEX.TM., a broad-spectrum combination of
bacteriophages commercially available from Micreos B.V.,
Netherlands. The selected bacteriophage may be effective against
Listeria, such as, for example, Listeria monocytogenes. The
selected bacteriophage(s) may be a combination of strains such as,
for example, those found in LISTSHIELD.TM. (LMP-102.TM.),
containing six bacteriophages and commercially available from
Intralytix, Inc., Baltimore, Md. The selected bacteriophage(s) may
be a combination such as, for example, those found in
LISTEX.TM.P100, a broad-spectrum combination of bacteriophages
commercially available from Micreos B.V. The selected bacteriophage
may be effective against Shigella, such as, for example, Shigella
sonnei or Shigella flexneri. The selected bacteriophage may be
effective against Campylobacter, such as, for example,
Campylobacter jejuni. The selected bacteriophage may be effective
against Clostridium, such as, for example, Clostridium botulinum or
Clostridium difficile.
[0086] The selected bacteriophage may be effective against
Staphylococcus, such as, for example, Staphylococcus aureus, and in
a more particular example, antibiotic-resistant strains thereof
such as MRSA and MDRSA which in recent years have become an
increasing problem in hospital and pediatric settings.
[0087] The selected bacteriophage may be effective against
Pseudomonas, such as, for example, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The
selected bacteriophage may be effective against Mycobacterium, such
as, for example, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
[0088] Various methods of isolating and concentrating quantities of
specific bacteriophages and producing bacteriophage compositions,
or variants thereof, that may be suitable for preparation of a skin
care wipe, are further described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,699,701; 7,459,272; 7,745,194; and 8,003,323.
[0089] The bacteriophage composition may include at least about
1.times.10.sup.2 PFU/ml (as is commonly understood in the art,
plaque forming units/ml) of the one or more bacteriophages, or from
about 1.times.10.sup.2 PFU/ml to about 1.times.10.sup.12 PFU/ml of
the one or more bacteriophages. The wipes lotion may be formulated
with bacteriophage composition to include from about
1.times.10.sup.2 PFU/ml to about 1.times.10.sup.12 PFU/ml of the
one or more bacteriophages, or from about 1.times.10.sup.3 PFU/ml
to about 1.times.10.sup.6 PFU/ml of the one or more
bacteriophages.
[0090] The one or more bacteriophages may be applied so as to be
present in a concentration of at least about 1.times.10.sup.2 PFU
on any square centimeter of the skin care wipe. In another
embodiment herein, from about 1.times.10.sup.2 PFU to about
1.times.10.sup.9 PFU of the one or more bacteriophages may be
present on any square centimeter of the skin care wipe. In yet
another embodiment herein, from about 1.times.10.sup.3 PFU to about
1.times.10.sup.6 PFU of the one or more bacteriophages may be
present on any square centimeter of the skin care wipe.
[0091] Protection from UV Radiation
[0092] Bacteriophages are prone to have decreased activity or
potency upon exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Such exposure may have a damaging effect on the bacteriophage,
decreasing lytic ability. Fibrous structures and/or aqueous
compositions including bacteriophage(s) might also be susceptible
to such decreased bacteriophage activity upon exposure to sunlight
or UV radiation. Accordingly, there may be a need for a
manufacturer of wet wipes, with an aqueous personal care
composition including bacteriophage(s), to devise approaches or
means for maintaining the activity of bacteriophage(s) in the
aqueous personal care composition during distribution of the
fibrous structure from the manufacturer, to the retailer, to the
consumer, and finally while being stored before use in the
consumer's household.
[0093] To address this problem, the wipe product may be packaged in
a container that is formed of material that effectively blocks or
prevents passage or transmission of UV radiation therethrough, into
the interior of the container. In one example, the wipe product may
be packaged in a molded tub or film wrap package formed of one or
more polymer resins that themselves sufficiently block UV
radiation. In another example, polymer resin(s) forming the
container may have blended therein or more blocking agents. In a
particular example, the polymer resin(s) may have blended therein a
blocking agent such as, for example, particulate zinc oxide or
titanium dioxide, to a level sufficiently effective to block UV
radiation. With respect to such blocking agent(s), "sufficient"
means a content level and/or quality effective to prevent passage
of UV radiation into the container to an extent that will
deactivate more than 50% of the bacteriophage population originally
placed within the container during packaging, under normal, average
shipping and storage conditions and time for products of the
type.
[0094] Methods Within the Scope of the Present Disclosure
[0095] The present disclosure is further directed to methods of
applying one or more bacteriophages to a surface, including the
step of contacting the surface with a wipe as described herein. The
surface may be any surface that is susceptible to bacterial
contamination. To illustrate, the surface may be epithelial tissue
of a human or other animal (including, for example, a companion
animal such as a dog or cat). A surface susceptible to bacterial
contamination may include human skin or the epithelial surface of a
cavity or other body structure, such as the perianal area. For
example, the epithelial surface may be urothelial tissue
(susceptible to, for example, bacterial urinary tract infection) or
infant or toddler skin that is in contact with or covered by
absorbent articles such as diapers or training pants. [0096] Within
the scope of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the one
or more bacteriophages is releasably transferred from the wipe to
the surface. For example, from about 1.times.10.sup.2 to about
1.times.10.sup.10 PFU/cm.sup.2 of the one or more bacteriophages
may be releasably transferred from the wipe to the surface. In one
embodiment, such transfer may be accomplished wherein the
bacteriophage composition is present on a surface of the wipe that
may come in contact with the surface that is susceptible to
bacterial contamination.
[0097] A wipe may include a bacteriophage composition applied to
one or both surfaces thereof. A wipe substrate material may have a
bacteriophage composition applied thereto during manufacture.
Application processes may include any processes suitable for
distributing an aqueous fluid onto a substrate, such as spraying,
fogging or misting a fluid containing the composition onto the
substrate, dipping or immersing the substrate into a fluid
containing the composition, rolling, gravure rolling, flexographic
printing, brushing, extruding, ink jet printing or slot coating a
fluid containing the composition onto the substrate, etc.
[0098] A wipe substrate material may undergo application of the
bacteriophage to its surface(s) before or after being combined with
a lotion composition. The wipe substrate material may have an
aqueous bacteriophage composition applied thereto, and then be
dried prior to downstream further processing and/or use. Further
downstream processing may include combination of the treated wipe
substrate with a lotion composition to produce a wet wipe
product.
[0099] Alternatively, a bacteriophage composition may be added to a
lotion composition that is subsequently combined with a wipe
substrate or supply of wipe substrate sheets, to form a supply of
wet wipes carrying the bacteriophage composition.
[0100] Array of Wipes Products
[0101] In one example of application of the present disclosure, two
or more distinct but commonly branded (i.e., common brand
identifier or common source indicator) wipes products may be
simultaneously offered for sale and presented in a retail setting
as an array of available products. The two or more distinct wipes
products may respectively include two or more differing
bacteriophage compositions that include bacteriophages that are
active against, respectively, two or more differing species or
strains of bacteria (such as, for example, any of the species or
strains identified herein), or differing combinations thereof. By
way of non-limiting example, a first bacteriophage composition
including bacteriophages that are active against one or more
species of Streptococcus may be included with a first wipes
product, and a second bacteriophage composition included
bacteriophages that are active against one or more species of
Clostridium may be included with a second wipes product. The
respective wipes products may be accordingly differentiated by
their respective labeling information. They may also respectively
include other differentiating product features, such as differences
in substrate, differences in scent (imparted by differing added
perfume ingredients) and/or differences in lotion composition. They
may also be differentiated by features or indications that are
specifically intended for use with or by, for example, particular
age groups of humans, e.g., newborn infants, toddlers, older
children, adolescents, young adults, middle-aged adults, and older
adults.
[0102] In another example, two or more distinct but commonly
branded wipes products in an array may differ in that one or more
in the array include a bacteriophage composition, while one or more
others in the array do not.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0103] This example describes the feasibility of transferring
bacteriophage from a disposable paper towel onto a solid surface.
The example uses an article comprising bacteriophage and a fibrous
structure.
[0104] Method
1. Prepare carriers
[0105] a. Dilute fetal bovine serum to 5% (if at 100% add 1 ml to
19 ml sterile water)
[0106] b. Dip 7 sterile glass slides into serum-to replicate
organic load found on a surface
[0107] c. Allow to dry at 37.degree. C. for 40 minutes
2. Spray 5 BOUNTY.TM. paper towels (commercially available from The
Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio) with SALMOLYSE.TM.
phage cocktail (10.sup.9 PFU/ml, 10 sprays .about.3 ml)
(commercially available from Intralytics, Inc., Baltimore, Md.). 3.
Fold paper towel in half three times 4. Wipe paper towel across the
glass slide five times
[0108] a. Complete a total of 5 sample replicates
5. Place slide into 20 ml sterile saline in a 50 ml conical
[0109] a. Vortex 30s
[0110] b. Pass saline through 0.2 um filter and collect
filtrate
6. Complete negative control
[0111] a. Wipe slide with untreated paper towel and complete like
above
7. Complete positive controls
[0112] a. Add 50 ml of phage directly onto slide [0113] i. Place
slide into 50 ml conical with 20 ml sterile saline [0114] ii.
Vortex [0115] iii. Filter 8. Complete plaque assay (using
Salmonella enteritidis 781)
[0116] a. Complete, 10 fold serial dilutions on all test
samples--use each dilution
[0117] b. Negative control no diluting needed
[0118] c. Positive controls complete 4, 10 fold serial
dilutions--assay dilutions 2, 3, 4
RESULTS
TABLE-US-00001 [0119] PFU applied PFU per sq cm PFU per surface
used to wipe 9.30E+09 1.26E+07 1.16E+09
TABLE-US-00002 Plate Sample Dilution Count PFU/slide LOG Phage
Titer 7 31 3.10E+09 9.4914 Positive Control 4 82 1.64E+08 8.2148
Negative Control 0 0 0.00E+00 0.0000 Replicate 1 1 18 3.60E+04
4.5563 Replicate 2 1 153 3.06E+05 5.4857 Replicate 3 1 22 4.40E+04
4.6435 Replicate 4 1 175 3.50E+05 5.5441 Replicate 5 2 30 6.00E+05
5.7782 Average: 2.67E+05 5.2015
[0120] Bacteriophage can be successfully transferred from a paper
towel onto a solid surface. Here, about 5 of the possible 8 logs of
phage are transferred from the paper towel onto the slide. This
testing is completed with paper towel that had not completely dried
and carriers that are also partially wet. While paper towels are
typically used on moist surfaces, the paper towel itself is
initially dry. Starting with a wet paper towel may have an impact
on the ability of the phage to transfer. This is explored further
in EXAMPLE 2 herein below.
Example 2
[0121] EXAMPLE 1 describes the ability of bacteriophage to transfer
from a paper towel onto a solid surface. This EXAMPLE 2 describes
the impact on the amount of phage transferred to the surface based
on whether the paper towel is wet or dry and whether the solid
surface that is wiped is wet or dry.
[0122] Method
1. Prepare carriers
[0123] a. Dilute fetal bovine serum to 5%
[0124] b. Dip 22 sterile glass slides into serum-to replicate
organic load found on a surface
[0125] c. Allow to dry
2. Spray 20 BOUNTY.TM. paper towels (commercially available from
The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio) with T4 phage
(10.sup.9 PFU/ml a 1:10 dil of lysate, titer to confirm
concentration)
[0126] a. 10 sprays per paper towel (.about.3 ml)
[0127] b. Fold paper towel in half three times
3. With paper towel still wet, wipe paper towel across the DRY
glass slide five times
[0128] a. Complete a total of 5 sample replicates
4. Place slide into 20 ml sterile saline in a 50 ml conical
[0129] a. Vortex 30s
[0130] b. Pass saline through 0.2 um filter and collect
filtrate
5. Mist 5 carriers with PBS spray to wet (2 sprays)
[0131] a. With paper towel still wet, wipe paper towel across the
WET glass slide five times
[0132] b. Complete a total of 5 sample replicates
6. Place slide into 20 ml sterile saline in a 50 ml conical
[0133] a. Vortex 30s
[0134] b. Pass saline through 0.2 um filter and collect
filtrate
7. Allow remaining 10 paper towels to dry 8. Wipe DRY paper towel
across the DRY glass slide five times
[0135] a. Complete a total of 5 sample replicates
9. Place slide into 20 ml sterile saline in a 50 ml conical
[0136] a. Vortex 30s
[0137] b. Pass saline through 0.2 um filter and collect
filtrate
10. Mist 5 carriers with PBS spray to wet (2 sprays) 11. Wipe DRY
paper towel across the WET glass slide five times
[0138] a. Complete a total of 5 sample replicates
12. Place slide into 20 ml sterile saline in a 50 ml conical
[0139] a. Vortex 30s
[0140] b. Pass saline through 0.2 um filter and collect
filtrate
13. Complete negative control
[0141] a. Wipe 1 carrier with untreated paper towel and complete
like above
14. Place slide into 20 ml sterile saline in a 50 ml conical
[0142] a. Vortex 30s
[0143] b. Pass saline through 0.2 um filter and collect
filtrate
15. Complete positive control
[0144] a. Add 100 ml of phage directly onto slide (same sample as
sprayed onto paper towels)
[0145] b. Apply so that it covers about the same area of the slide
as what you wiped
[0146] c. Allow to dry a bit (no obvious puddles) [0147] i. Place
slide into 50 ml conical with 20 ml sterile saline [0148] ii.
Vortex [0149] iii. Filter 16. Complete plaque assay (using E.
coli)
[0150] a. Complete 4, 10 fold serial dilutions on all test
samples--use each dilution
[0151] b. Negative control no diluting needed
[0152] c. Positive controls complete 4, 10 fold serial
dilutions--assay dilutions 2, 3, 4
RESULTS
TABLE-US-00003 [0153] Dry Towel -> Plate Wet Surface Dilution
Count PFU/slide LOG Replicate 1 0 100 2.00E+04 4.3010 Replicate 2 0
7 1.40E+03 3.1461 Replicate 3 0 171 3.42E+04 4.5340 Replicate 4 0
420 8.40E+04 4.9243 Replicate 5 0 163 3.26E+04 4.5132 Average:
3.44E+04 4.2837
TABLE-US-00004 Dry Towel -> Plate Dry Surface Dilution Count
PFU/slide LOG Replicate 1 0 66 1.32E+04 4.1206 Replicate 2 0 143
2.86E+04 4.4564 Replicate 3 0 34 6.80E+03 3.8325 Replicate 4 0 72
1.44E+04 4.1584 Replicate 5 0 79 1.58E+04 4.1987 Average: 1.58E+04
4.1533
TABLE-US-00005 Wet Towel -> Plate Dry Surface Dilution Count
PFU/slide LOG Replicate 1 0 232 4.64E+04 4.6665 Replicate 2 0 406
8.12E+04 4.9096 Replicate 3 0 206 4.12E+04 4.6149 Replicate 4 0 298
5.96E+04 4.7752 Replicate 5 0 178 3.56E+04 4.5514 Average: 5.28E+04
4.7035
TABLE-US-00006 Wet Towel -> Plate Wet Surface Dilution Count
PFU/slide LOG Replicate 1 0 428 8.56E+04 4.9325 Replicate 2 0 281
5.62E+04 4.7497 Replicate 3 0 468 9.36E+04 4.9713 Replicate 4 0 238
4.76E+04 4.6776 Replicate 5 0 368 7.36E+04 4.8669 Average: 7.13E+04
4.8396
[0154] In this EXAMPLE 2, the highest amount of phage transfer from
a paper towel to a surface occurs when both the paper towel and the
surface are wet. The least amount of transfer is seen when both the
paper towel and the surface are dry. Overall, using a dry towel on
a wet or dry surface has a similar level of phage transfer. A
similar level of phage transfer is also seen when a wet paper towel
is used on a wet or dry surface.
[0155] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."
[0156] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced
or related patent or application and any patent application or
patent to which this application claims priority or benefit
thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety
unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any
document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to
any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in
any combination with any other reference or references, teaches,
suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent
that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts
with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document
incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to
that term in this document shall govern.
[0157] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *